Paula West

The artist JazzTimes calls “the finest jazz-cabaret singer around” presents a loving tribute to the pioneering jazz vocalist and actress Ethel Waters. Paula West possesses a supple, velvety contralto, superb pitch and an insinuating sense of swing. She’s not the kind of singer who uses her voice like an instrument, improvising long scat solos. West prefers to work around the edges of a melody, stretching a word here or clipping a phrase there so that each piece sounds as if it was written with her voice in mind. Without benefit of a label or high-powered management, she’s become a Manhattan fixture, regularly earning New York Nightlife Awards for “Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalist.” Last year Wynton Marsalis recruited her to sing the lead role in the reprise of his Pulitzer Prize-winning opus Blood On the Fields. Adding to her allure is West’s reputation as a song sleuth who has uncovered startlingly effective jazz vehicles amidst the work of Sonny Bono, Bob Dylan, and Jimmy Webb. In paying tribute to Ethel Waters, the largely forgotten foremother of American popular music, she’s tapping into a treasure trove of songs introduced by a pioneering African-American recording artist and Broadway star, including “Stormy Weather,” “Heat Wave,” “Am I Blue?” and “Supper Time.”

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SFJAZZ Center, Joe Henderson Lab

SFJAZZ Ticket Policies

Ticket Refunds

Tickets purchased for SFJAZZ concerts are non-refundable, except in the event of a cancelled performance. Refunds are then given in original form of payment. Per ticket and per order handling fees are non-refundable, with no exceptions.

Ticket Exchanges

Tickets purchased for SFJAZZ concerts are non-exchangeable, except for members of SFJAZZ at the Contributor level ($120/year) and above. This valuable benefit of membership allows members to make ticket exchanges for concerts within the same season or to receive 'ticket credit' for purchasing tickets to a concert in a future season. Ticket credits can only be used for purchases made directly thru SFJAZZ (i.e. not available when purchasing thru Tickets.com). Ticket exchanges are accepted up to 24 hours prior to the performance.

If you are a Contributor level member and have tickets you would like to exchange either for another concert or for ticket credit, then please mail the tickets back to SFJAZZ, or rip the tickets in half, photocopy the ripped tickets, discard the ripped tickets and fax the photocopy to (415) 398-5569. Please remember to include your phone number, email address and exchange instructions.

Ticket Replacement

SFJAZZ is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets and is not obligated to replace/reissue lost or stolen tickets. Once tickets are purchased, paid and given/sent to the purchaser, they are the sole property and liability of the purchaser. Tickets for "General Admission" concerts cannot be reissued. If you have questions about lost or stolen tickets, please contact the Box Office.

Ticket Donations

Tickets to SFJAZZ concerts can be donated back to SFJAZZ as a tax-deductible contribution. Tickets donated by generous SFJAZZ patrons enable awaiting jazz fans to experience some incredible musical moments. And proceeds from tickets purchased or donated help provide funding for SFJAZZ concert programming and community-based jazz education. Donations are accepted in advance by phone/fax/in person no later than 24 hours prior to show time and in person at the concert venue box office up until scheduled show time. Only unused tickets may be submitted for donation. Donation acknowledgement letters from SFJAZZ will be sent out at the end of the concert season.

Tickets for Children

SFJAZZ discourages audience members from bringing infants to concerts so as not to disturb the performers or other patrons (the one exception applies to family matinee concerts, where children of all ages are welcome). Non-infant children under two years of age do not need tickets to regular concerts and may sit on parents' laps. Children over two years are required to have a ticket for entry.

For any ticket related inquiries, please contact the SFJAZZ Box Office by email or by phone at 415-788-7353.

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